US condemns Russia's role over Ukraine's energy

The US condemned "Russia''s efforts to use energyas a tool of coercion against Ukraine" after Russia raised natural gas prices andthreatened to cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine, according to State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki here Thursday.This morning Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a letter to the EU stating Russiawill cut off gas to Ukraine, if Ukraine''s bills are not paid for."Ukraine is now paying USD 485 [per thousand cubic meters], a price clearly not setby market forces and well above the average price paid by EU members," said Psakito reporters.Psaki noted, "Russia reneged on an agreement it signed with Ukraine that offeredreduced gas prices in exchange for a 25-year lease of Black Sea Fleet facilities." Inresponse to Putin''s letter, Psaki stressed, "the United States is taking immediatesteps to assist Ukraine, including the provision of emergency finance and technicalassistance, in the areas of energy security, energy efficiency and energy sectorreform." Additionally, the US is "working with Ukraine and our allies on its westernborders to encourage them to prepare to reverse natural gas flows in the pipeline sothat Ukraine can access additional gas supplies if needed," Psaki affirmed.